newsmakers

newsmakers

Man charged with stalking Sandra Bullock to stand trial

LOS ANGELES

A man clutching a love letter when he was arrested in Sandra Bullock’s home as the actress cowered in a locked closet and called police for help was ordered Thursday to stand trial on stalking and weapons charges.

Superior Court Judge Terry A. Bork ruled that a prosecutor had shown enough evidence to support that Joshua James Corbett stand trial on charges he stalked the Oscar-winning actress, broke into her home and had an arsenal of illegal assault weapons.

Thursday’s hearing opened with the playing of Bullock’s panicked 911 call in which she described seeing a man in her home heading for the attic.

“I’m in my closet. I have a safe door,” Bullock, breathing heavily, is heard telling the dispatcher. “I’m locked in the closet right now.”

‘Mad Men’ star Hamm was accused in violent frat hazing in 1990

AUSTIN, Texas

“Mad Men” star Jon Hamm took part in a violent college hazing in 1990 at the University of Texas that led to criminal charges and to the fraternity chapter’s permanently disbanding, according to court and school records obtained Thursday.

The Emmy-nominated actor previously had not been publicly linked to a lawsuit filed by a Sigma Nu pledge who said he was severely beaten, dragged by a hammer and had his pants lit on fire. In the 1991 lawsuit, the pledge said Hamm participated “till the very end.”

Criminal records show Hamm, now 44, was charged with hazing and received probation. A separate charge of assault was dismissed.

Representatives for Hamm and “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.

Hamm’s connection to the hazing first was reported by the Daily Mail. The case resurfaced just as the critically acclaimed “Mad Men” begins airing its final season on AMC.

In March, Hamm completed a stint in rehab for what his representatives said was treatment for alcohol addiction.

Richard Dysart, who starred in ‘L.A. Law,’ dies at age 86

LOS ANGELES

Richard Dysart, a veteran stage and screen actor who played senior partner Leland McKenzie in the long-running TV courtroom drama “L.A. Law,” has died after a long illness. He was 86.

Dysart died Sunday at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., according to his daughter-in-law Jeannine Jacobi.

He created the Broadway role of the Coach in “That Championship Season,” for which he won a Drama Desk Award in 1972, and his many film appearances included Hal Ashby’s “Being There,” Clint Eastwood’s “Pale Rider” and John Carpenter’s “The Thing.”

But his most memorable role was likely that of head man in the firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak in NBC’s 1986-94 series.

Associated Press